title: Algal photoreceptors: in vivo functions and potential applications.
abstract: Many algae, particularly microalgae, possess a sophisticated light-sensing system including photoreceptors and light-modulated signaling pathways to sense environmental information and secure the survival in a rapidly changing environment. Over the last couple of years, the multifaceted world of algal photobiology has enriched our understanding of the light absorption mechanisms and in vivo function of photoreceptors. Moreover, specific light-sensitive modules have already paved the way for the development of optogenetic tools to generate light switches for precise and spatial control of signaling pathways in individual cells and even in complex biological systems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular and Developmental Biology of Plants, University of Bielefeld, Universitätsstr. 25, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany, kianian@uni-bielefeld.de.
authors.forename: Arash
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kianianmomeni
authors.forename: Armin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hallmann
mesh_terms: D016825:Chlamydomonas reinhardtii / Q000502:physiology*; D056931:Cryptochromes / Q000378:metabolism; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000378:metabolism; D008027:Light; D009446:Neurobiology / Q000379:methods; D055519:Photoreceptors, Plant / Q000502:physiology*; D056949:Phototropins / Q000378:metabolism; D010834:Phytochrome / Q000378:metabolism; D060066:Protein Interaction Maps; D012243:Rhodopsin / Q000378:metabolism; D058615:Synthetic Biology / Q000379:methods; D044446:Volvox / Q000502:physiology*; D024341:Xanthophylls / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D056931:Cryptochromes; D055519:Photoreceptors, Plant; D056949:Phototropins; D024341:Xanthophylls; C492072:neochrome; D010834:Phytochrome; D012243:Rhodopsin; D000242:Cyclic AMP